Plan Mode

Plan Mode lets Claude research and design an approach before making any changes, giving you control over the implementation strategy.

How It Works

1. Enter Plan Mode — Claude switches to a read-only planning mode
2. Research — Claude explores the codebase, reads files, and understands the current state
3. Design — Claude creates a detailed implementation plan
4. Present — The plan is presented to you with a clear summary
5. Approve or Reject — You decide whether to proceed with the plan
6. Execute — If approved, Claude implements the plan

When to Use Plan Mode

Plan Mode is valuable for:

• Complex features that touch multiple files or systems
• Refactoring where understanding the current state is critical
• Unfamiliar codebases where you want Claude to explore first
• High-risk changes where you want to review the approach before execution

Plan Mode Indicators

When Plan Mode is active:

• A banner appears at the top of the conversation
• Claude's actions are restricted to read-only operations
• The plan file is displayed when Claude calls ExitPlanMode

Extended Thinking

Plan Mode pairs well with Extended Thinking. Enable both to let Claude:

1. Think deeply about the problem (Extended Thinking)
2. Research the codebase (Plan Mode read-only actions)
3. Present a well-reasoned plan for your approval

Configure Extended Thinking in Settings > AI > Extended Thinking.